DLJ Produce

Table Grapes

Red Seedless

We will see the last push of Scarlet Royal and Sweet Celebration as growers move heavier into volumes of Allison, Scarlotta, and Holiday varieties. Harvest crews continue to work hard to keep quality right, considering some field losses due to heat damage and rains. This trend will continue for the remainder of the season. Supplies are moderate currently and allow for good promotional opportunities for another month. Expect December to bring on a quick finish as supplies may become limited due to weather-related losses in packing out in the field.

Green Seedless

Pristine, Autumn King and Autumn Crisp varieties will bring most of the green grape volume for the rest of the season, with Autumn King being the most widely planted volume. The volume will continue on the green as they hit peak harvest before growers start packing a significant number of totes for late November / early December packing. Like reds, it is taking a fair amount of fieldwork to put a good pack. But Autumn King supplies should stretch into early to mid-December until it is time for an import transition. Continue to promote green over red.

Black Seedless

Autumn Royals will continue to harvest for the next 2 – 3 weeks, with supplies expected to stretch into late November / early December. Quality is good and volume is similar to previous seasons. Continue to carry for the color break and additional sales, then wind down moving into late November.

Red Globe

Red Globe will continue on strong as the peak harvest volume has hit and growers continue to ship both domestically and for export. FOB pricing has leveled out to allow for good movement through the supply chain. CA fruit will stretch into early December, but Peruvian supplies will be on top of it and already arriving to the East Coast.

Tree Fruit – Imports

Plums / Pluots

The last varieties remain, with some Flavor-Fall red and Angelino black still hanging around. Retailers have mostly moved into Fall sets and moved away from promoting CA plums. Expect supplies to last for another 2 – 3 weeks. Chile will not start with first arrivals until late January.

Cherries

The import cherry season from Chile and Argentina is right around the corner. First arrivals are expected by 2nd week of November on early air flights. But air volume will not build up until right before Thanksgiving. Based on increased freight costs, the pricing structure can only get so aggressive even with a bigger crop for the U.S. market. Expect promotable FOB pricing by late December once the first container vessels arrive.

Import Citrus

Clementines

Light supplies of Chilean Murcott still remain in the states, but not enough volume to meet demand until CA gets underway. Expect limited amounts to trying to fill the demand gap. FOBs will remain high and continue to firm. California will start with some limited supplies of early variety this week, but true clementine varieties are not expected until early November.

Oranges

The last of the imported navel crop has arrived in the US, with some limited supplies of Chilean and South African fruit available to finish out the season. Expect demand to be high and supplies to remain limited up to the finish over the next two weeks. CA has started harvest on fresh navels, but size will peak in the 88s and smaller with 4 days of gas to color. Imports is still the only option on larger fruit for at least another 2 – 3 weeks until the CA harvest picks up.

Lemons

Lemons from South America will finish this week, with only a small amount still available before the finish. FOB pricing will continue to firm rapidly due to demand. California is still in some supply from D3, before waiting for the D1 transition in November. Stay close on lemons, as the shortage from South America due to the freeze will definitely be felt until D1 brings on the fire power.

DLJ Produce is home to the finest and freshest produce nationwide. Our customers depend on our produce 365 days a year coast to coast. If you want to discuss fruits, vegetables, cold storage, organic produce or simply want to chat, give us a call today.